“I would love to do that fight. That would be a wickedly good fight
… . The problem with Paul right now is he still doesn’t have his
legal situation worked out so that he can get into the U.S. Paul
still cannot travel to the U.S. from the U.K. I’ve been e-mailing
him back and forth, and we’ve been talking to what’s called in
London his solicitor -- it’s his attorney -- and they have high
hopes that it’s going to get cleared up and the case is going to
get dropped. They’ve had some good progress in the case the last
two times they’ve been in front of the judge, but he still can’t
get into the United States.”

“I’m forever thankful to Zuffa relative to Paul Daley. I’m thankful
they gave him the release. I’ve been a ‘Semtex’ fan for years. If
you like mixed martial arts and you like explosive fights in the
cage and you like guys who bring the fight, Paul Daley has got to
be up in your top-10 list. Win or lose, he doesn’t know how to have
a boring fight. … As soon as that opportunity came up and he
actually got the release, we moved on that immediately. I think
that’s a no-brainer. He’s been very vocal and very articulate about
what happened, about the misstep that he had, very public about it
and … I think, spoken very eloquently about it. I’m just thrilled
to have him under the banner.”

British welterweight Paul Daley --
pictured walking away from Jorge
Masvidal after their three-round scrap at Shark
Fights 13 in Amarillo, Texas -- turns 29 years old today, the
same number of wins on his record (29-11-2). (Photo by Dave Mandel,
2010.09.11)

“He can talk whatever he wants to talk, but he doesn’t believe it.
He won’t even look me in the eye when he shakes my hand. I judge a
man by what he does, not by what he says because a mouth can say
anything. It’s going to be an ugly fight. I’m going to try to wear
his butt out as many ways as I can. If it ends in a TKO or
knockout, whatever, so be it, but at the end of the day, I’m going
to get the victory.”

The vaunted chin of Nick Diaz
survived its most onerous test of Diaz’s reign as Strikeforce
welterweight champion Saturday night, while another of the
Californian’s hallmarks ensured that he left San Diego with gold
intact.

Diaz and challenger Paul Daley put
forth the type of vicious firefight most expected inside the Valley
View Casino Center, but the confrontation truly began on Friday,
when the notorious trash-talkers exchanged epithets at the official
weigh-ins. The tension was evident immediately before the bout,
when Daley grinned at Diaz as referee John McCarthy gave final
instructions, evoking further verbiage from the titlist.

Five seconds into the bout, Diaz was into his usual routine,
inching gingerly forward and chatting with Daley while offering up
his jaw to the British slugger. Backing Daley into the fence, Diaz
popped his challenger with a right jab, then hurled a left to the
body. Early in the round, the sequence took little effect; in the
end, it proved Diaz’s best friend. Read more

"The Savage Dog Show" and "Beatdown" radio shows returned to The
Sherdog Radio Network Wednesday. Guests included Strikeforce CEO
Scott Coker and Bellator Lightweight king Eddie
Alvarez.

Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker joined myself and Jason Probst today on
"Beatdown" for nearly 25 minutes to discuss the sale of Strikeforce
to Zuffa. Coker addresses the events leading up to the sale, what
the purchase means for Strikeforce, and how his roster of fighters
feels the decision. Also, Coker touches on the relationships with
Paul
Daley, Showtime, and others going forward.

Greg and Jeff spent their broadcast day chatting with Eddie
Alvarez. The Fight Factory produce looks to defend his Bellator
Lightweight title against tournament champion Pat Curran on
April 2nd. Alvarez talks about his place in Bellator, mixed martial
arts, and what he has been doing with his off time.